Words by Tim Garso

While locals and out-of-towners alike see Pittsburgh’s Strip District as a go-to destination for the freshest produce around, many newer businesses are working hard to diversify the neighborhood’s offerings. Adventurous souls that take a few steps beyond the familiar are in for the delightful, and sometimes intoxicating experience of discovery.

Wigle Whiskey is one of the neighborhood’s newest destinations in the form of a small, family-owned distillery. Walking into Wigle, visitors are often greeted by Eric Meyer, who handles much of the front-of-the-house operation. Eric's soft-spoken nature is belied by the passion he has for the work before him; not just the success of the business, but for the historical relevance of the product that they make.

“Harry Truman called [the Whiskey Rebellion] one of the six most important events in American history” says Eric, noting that Wigle provides a unique glimpse into Western Pennsylvania’s somewhat forgotten role in shaping the country’s liquor industry.

As you get to know Eric, you get the sense that many seemingly odd and unconnected life events led to the early successes of the business. First and foremost, comes a passion for the industry honed while volunteering in the Peace Corps. While stationed in Kyrgyzstan, Eric took a job at a small microbrewery, learning brewing techniques and gaining an appreciation for using local ingredients.

After coming back to the United States, Meyer completed his Bachelors degree in Philosophy with a Masters in Public Policy, landing a job with the city of Tacoma, Washington. While he says much of the work left him unsatisfied, the political experience was beneficial when it came time to change a Pennsylvania law stating that liquor could only be bought at State-owned stores.

“When we made the decision to do the business, we were not legally allowed to sell the product here,” Eric points out with a bold grin “I think my degree made me overly confident that we would be able to change the law, which was [both] good and bad.”

As it turns out, the confidence was well placed, as Wigle in collaboration with fellow Pennsylvania distilleries, were able to influence lawmakers just in time to open their doors to the public.

Eric acknowledges that his father had a helping hand in bringing him back to Pittsburgh to work with his family.

“When we started this,” Eric recalls, “my dad said to me, 'You've always wanted to tell stories and this is going to be a good opportunity to do that.’”

Pointing to an early desire to pursue a career in film production, Eric recounts, “instead of talking about detectives in Los Angeles, I’m going to talk about whiskey in Pittsburgh. So I get to do certain things I wanted to do. Its just a different vehicle.”

At its core, Wigle Whiskey is a family venture. Eric's mother, Mary, directs volunteers for various activities like “labeling parties” while Mark, Eric's father, is the chief distiller, often dispensing drinks in the tasting room with a heavy side of knowledge and history.

However, Eric accepts the fact that the family could not keep the distillery afloat alone – the community has been key to keeping the business sustainable.

“I think one of the really unique things about Pittsburgh is that we've always been a city that makes stuff. We got away from that,” laments Eric. “We could not have survived as a business five years ago. But I think that people are starting to really embrace that this has always been a city of craftspeople.”

Keeping true to their pride in the city, the distillery strives to not only produce high-quality spirits, but spares no expense in regards to the sourcing of ingredients. Proudly using a blend of grains grown strictly in Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York, Wigle is one of only six or seven whiskey producers in the country to have received organic certification.

Beyond providing Pittsburgh with locally crafted libations, the team plans to further it’s history lesson with plans for a Whiskey Rebellion museum. With any luck, the city will once again be written into the storied history of American liquor production.

“We really wanted to bring whiskey back to Pittsburgh and do it in a way that was very accessible to people. I think we've done that,” a satisfied Meyer states. “We see ourselves as part of the young, new Pittsburgh.”